November 1, 1998
TOP SPOT SO CLOSE
With the world number 1 ranking at stake, losing a tight three-setter to Greg Rusedski was
not the outcome I was hoping for
in the Eurocard Open in Stuttgart this week. I was really up for the match, bearing in
mind who the opponent was and what
might have happened with the rankings had I won. But it wasn't to be.
I've had some great matches with Rusedski, the highlight being the US Open last year. I
wanted to beat him really bad this
time because he got me in the previous match. He had also nailed Stolts in a tight
first-round match. And there's also the
possible Davis Cup match-up next year, provided Australia beats Zimbabwe in the first
round and Britain beats the US.
I have finally had my hip problem diagnosed and it is a relief to know it is nothing
major. Doctors said the irritation is caused
by degenerative over-use of the lateral menisucs in the hip and there might be a small
tear. It's been a tough year, not just for
me, but everyone, and I'll be having a lot of physio over the next two tournaments.
Injury treatments aside, I can guarantee you of one thing when all the Aussies get
together in Paris this week - we'll be trying
to find a place to watch the Melbourne Cup. It didn't take long for the news of Might and
Power's Cox Plate win to filter
through here. No doubt our boys will try and work out the winner of the Melbourne Cup.
With all the overseas invaders there, I
want one of the locals to carry it off. It's a bit tough to find a form guide, but I'm
sure we'll be organized when the time comes.